Have an education background. Would like to switch careers. Have been trying, but it's hard. Any advice or contacts? 

Well are you trying to switch in to education or out of it?

What specifically are you looking for?

Good luck! 

Switch out of eduction 

and in to what? 

May I ask why you want to get out of education? I'm going into it, just curious why you want to leave. 

My3andchloe there is an enormous turnover rate for teachers. 

Just very disheartened. Would like to move on to a new challenge. 

Switch out of eduction


Save money, I hope you already did. It's very possible switching fields in a big way will mean starting at the bottom somewhere else to get in the door. Nothing wrong with that, you can prove yourself and work your way up. But it could very well throw a wrench in to your finances. You will need a cushion just in case. 

Try marketing or communication 

Use your education experience and degree and become a corporate trainer. Yes, technically it's still teaching, but it's teaching motivated adults specific skills. That would get you in the door at many places where it would be easier to move laterally than to start a new thing with no experience. 

I would love to do that!!! Can't quite figure out how to get my foot in the door. 

Whats your degree? 

Corporate training is very subject matter specific. Your background as a teacher will be helpful, but subject matter expertise is better. 

What interests you?

My background is military (IT) and law enforcement, but shockingly, the job I have now is more rewarding but it's not even in the same time zone as what I was previously doing.

You need to take into consideration travel and hours too in looking for a new job.
Are you opposed to travel and working different hours, or do you want to stay on teacher time? 

I'm not opposed to travel or different hours at all. 

Emmy, the best advice is to go to job fairs and start marketing yourself to the companies you are interested in.

Your own self initiative will do more to demonstrate to them your abilities than anything else. 

So, what other employment / skills background do you have? Did you teach a specific subject or was it general elementary education?

What exactly are you looking at getting into? 

Emmy...you need to make an appointment with a recruiter and let them tell you what they think you are suited for.

These folks don't make a nickel until you are placed so they are motivated to put you where you need to be. In other words, no square peg and round hole issues.

If you have an idea of what you would like to do, such as corporate training, then concentrate on recruiters that place folks specifically in that industry.

You'll find that the good jobs are being let out by the best recruiters and they have a core group of folks that they work with. That's not to say you don't belong in that group. I'm thinking you probably do just based on your motivation to get out of public education.

This is a very, very, very hot job market right now. Right now is the perfect time for you to be looking to make a change. Companies are more willing to take a bigger risk on the unknown if there is a synergy or some other kind of connection.

Good luck....you'll do just fine. 

Next question, how do you go about getting a recruiter? This is all new to me 

I just found this article and thought it might be helpful. 20 Job Ideas for Teachers 

What have you done yourself already Emmy? It is hard for people to know what to suggest if they don't know what level you are at.

Have you done the basics of a job search? Do you have multiple resumes for different career options highlighting your skills and how they can apply to a multitude of businesses? Have you researched placement companies?


Or are you wanting everything from the basics forward? 

Every region 4 and region 6 trainer I've met has started out in the classroom. I watch them have lots of fun at their jobs as they make us attendees into students. We all have fun, actually.

That could be a stepping stone into the corporate world. 

I had the same job for 16 years and had to change. I signed up with Tempfinders in Greenspoint and they got me an Oil & Gas job and it has changed my life. I am excelled up the ladder and have changed companies but I love what I do and have been financially rewarded by changing. It is a little scary to make the change but you will be asking yourself why you waited for so long! And try O&G. It is an interesting business and so many different type jobs in the industry. Good luck to you! 

I'll second the gas and oil industry.

There are a vast assortment of jobs/careers, and it's not all that difficult to move up the ladder. It's also financially rewarding. 

There are always safety training jobs in O & G. DH works in O & G and loves it. 

Safety is huge in Houston. There are whole departments dedicated to that in the major companies.

I would recommend taking a few classes at the local community college in business or something similar (if you choose a different route than corporate training) just to help you get a foot in the door.

Temp agencies are great as well. You might work as a receptionist or in data entry, but the more exposure to potential employees you have the more chances someone will see your work ethic and want to hire you full time. That's how I got my job and I've been with this company for 7 years and I've been working my way up. Also, having a temp job will help pay the bills until you can figure out what you want to do on a more permanent basis. I used Kingwood Personnel. Kelly Services is also pretty good. 

Look at Supply Chain Management. I have worked in the O&G industry for more than 20 years, and I regularly hire talented SCM folks at a higher salary than I pay most engineers that I hire. 

Also, HS&E jobs pay more than most people think. With a few years of experience, you can do really well.